DETROIT — Third baseman Zach McKinstry accounted for six runs allowed in a bizarre 12th inning, as the Detroit Tigers dropped a lengthy 11-5 decision to the Minnesota Twins in the opening game of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Already leading 5-4 in the 13th, the Twins took advantage of a based-loaded walk and a three-run error by McKinstry at third, when Ryan Jeffers hit a grounder that went through his legs.
Then, needing pitchers on a long day in which his club had already used five, Detroit manager AJ Hinch called on McKinstry to take the mound and help the Tigers get out of the inning. McKinstry proceeded to walk Manuel Margot before allowing a three-run homer to Matt Wallner.
The Twins ultimately scored eight runs in extra innings, the most in franchise history since Aug. 1, 1970, which also came in a victory over the Tigers, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Detroit reliever Alex Lange (0-1), who loaded the bases before McKinstry’s error, took the loss, ending Detroit’s two-game winning streak. He walked Willi Castro to start the 12th and Christian Vazquez bunted, but first baseman Spencer Torkelson‘s throw to third was late, setting the stage for the error.
Tigers starter Kenta Maeda allowed two runs — one earned — on five hits in six innings against his old team. He struck out five without walking a batter. Jorge Alcala (1-0) picked up the win after allowing a run in the 12th.
Minnesota’s Joe Kelly struck out a career-high 12 batters in six innings but gave up three runs — one earned — on six hits and a walk.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the first when Kerry Carpenter homered. Martin’s RBI double made it 2-1 in the third.
Maeda had a chance at an inning-ending 1-6-3 double play in the fifth, but his throw sailed into center field to put runners on the corners. Santana grounded to first, but the Tigers again failed to turn the double play, allowing Martin to score the tying run from third.
Colt Keith‘s RBI single put the Tigers up 3-2 in the sixth, but Jeffers tied the game with a pinch-hit homer off Shelby Miller in the eighth. He also drove in Minnesota’s 11th-inning run with a single.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Detroit’s Matt Manning opposed Minnesota’s Simeon Woods Richardson. Both starters were called up Saturday to serve as their team’s 27th player.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.